Zurich - Bafana Bafana have moved up to No 58 in the latest rankings released by football's governing body FIFA.
The South African team was previously at No 66.South Africa launched a challenge for African Nations Cup redemption by outplaying minnows Niger 2-0 in Nelspruit earlier this month under new coach Pitso Mosimane.
Bafana Bafana need to restore their continental pride by qualifying for the 2012 African Nations Cup finals to be staged in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.
FIFA rankings released on Wednesday for September (August position in parentheses):
1. Spain (1).
2. Netherlands (2).
3. Germany (4).
4. Brazil (3).
5. Argentina (5).
6. England (7).
7. Uruguay (6).
8. Portugal (8).
9. Egypt (9).
10. Chile (10).
11. Croatia (14).
12. Greece (12).
13. Italy (11).
14. Norway (22).
15. Serbia (13).
16. Slovakia (27).
17. Paraguay (15).
18. USA (18).
19. Slovenia (19).
20. Ghana (23).